Category: BEAUTY

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2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

I HEART REVOLUTION: GOLDEN BAR PALETTE – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

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BLOGMAS DAY 19

Superdrug is my favourite place to go when hunting for new (affordable) makeup. They nearly always have at least one display of the TAM Beauty make up brands, Makeup Revolution, Freedom Makeup and I Heart Makeup. I am such a huge fan of these products as they’re always of such high quality and yet they’re priced affordably – what more could you want?

The beauty community has definitely been talking about the I Heart Revolution palettes and rightly so! They’re becoming more and more popular after they launched a collection of dupes for the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palettes. They even duped the Sweet Peach palette (I will be comparing the two in a review soon!). The latest palette from this fabulous brand is the Golden Bar Palette. You can most likely buy this from your local Superdrug store or order it from their site online. TAM Beauty ship internationally so you can also order it on their website.

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I fell in love with this palette as soon as I saw it, the packaging certainly sucked me in – TAM Beauty knew exactly what they were doing! All of the palettes in this collection are designed to look like chocolate bars however this one caught my eye when I noticed the metallic gold packaging. It’s a fricking gold chocolate bar! I also loved the melting chocolate on the front of the palette, it reminded me slightly of the Kylie Cosmetics packaging.

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Not a bad view huh? Featuring 16 shades, this palette was a steal at only £9, especially if you consider the ridiculously expensive Too Faced palettes (£40). The Golden Bar palette may not be exactly the same, however, it’s extremely similar and it’s certainly giving them a run for their money. In my opinion, if you can purchase a highly pigmented palette for even the price of a more expensive one, you’re onto a winner. There’s also a very generously sized mirror covering the entire lid, making this a great palette to travel with. The one thing that I didn’t enjoy about the packaging, was the plastic overlay that had the shade names on it. I would much rather have a palette with the names printed below each shade, making life that little bit easier, especially for tutorials or reviews like this one. Another thing to keep in mind that also let me down slightly is that there are no matte shades. This means a full look can’t really be completed as there is nothing to use as a transition shade so you’d need to use another palette.

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Collection: A cool icy white shimmer –  I love using this for inner corner highlights and under my brows! I sometimes even dot above my lips for a more defined cupid’s bow.

Ribbon: A light pink champagne-shimmer – I would say this is one of the more subtle shades but it’s certainly buildable. I sometimes use a setting spray to intensify it which works perfectly!

Edible: A muted taupe-brown shimmer – In my opinion, this is the least pigmented shadow in the palette. I like the colour for a more subtle hint of brown in my crease but it’s no way near as pigmented as some of the other shades. Again, if you use a setting spray it can intensify it.

Tablet: A dark bronze/gold shimmer – I love using this shadow as it’s darker than the other gold shimmers in the palette so it’s perfect for a less blinding look (I’m all down for full-on lightbulbs on the lid though)

Wrapped: A red/purple toned brown shimmer – I love using this to slightly smoke out my outer lid, however, it’s a shimmer shade of course so it’s not as intense as a matte shadow would be.

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Wrapper: A warm orange/yellow gold with brown undertones – I often use this shade with warm toned shadows to create a red toned look. The orange undertones also meant I could use it for Autumnal looks as well!

Foil: A golden shimmer – I often use this in the centre of the lid as it’s just such a gorgeous shimmer. I used this for a halo smokey eye look the other day and it did a fab job!

Golden: A rich golden shimmer – This is my favourite shadow in the palette. It’s just so insanely pigmented, it’s INCREDIBLE. I can’t believe this came in a palette that costs £9…? It really does show that you don’t need to break the bank to own some crazily pigmented shadows.

Bar: A bronze shimmer with olive-green undertones – I tend to use this shade less as it’s not as blinding or rich as the other gold shades however it’s still a unique colour to have in a palette.

Box: A khaki shimmer – I love this shade, it always looks nice on the lid with a smokey outer corner. I’m a fan of any coloured shadows, especially khaki as I already wear so much of this colour (90% of my wardrobe).

IMG_0995Block: Taupe/dark brown shadow with purple undertones – I use this all the time to add some drama to my eye makeup looks, it’s another great shadow for intensifying the outer lid and creating a smokey eye.

Gift: A milk-chocolate brown shimmer – This is what I would call the perfect chocolate shimmery brown shadow. It’s quite a warm shade too so I like using it for red/orange toned looks but it looks good as part of an everyday look as well.

Limited: A musky pink/purple shimmer with light brown undertones – I absolutely adore this shade, it’s such a gorgeous mixture of pink and purple and of course, it’s shimmery! It looks even better when applied with a setting spray.

Cocoa: A rich red/burgundy shimmer – I am loving using this shade for red smoky eyes which is fab for festive makeup looks!

Beans: A medium-brown shimmer – This is a pretty similar shade to Block, however, I prefer it. It’s lighter and easier to blend into a more everyday look. It’s slightly darker than Limited which makes it better for a smokey eye.

Chocolatier: A light nude/prosecco shimmer with cool undertones – I was pretty disappointed with this shade. Yes, it’s pigmented however it’s so chalky and powdery so getting your brush to pick up the right amount is difficult. It still looks great on the lid, especially for a halo look or inner corner highlights.

Overall, I think this palette is SUCH good value, given how pigmented each individual shadow is. I also have to mention how well the shadows last, they don’t crease and I don’t even use a primer which speaks volumes. The packaging is also amazing and of high quality, unlike some of my cardboard based palettes. I love the variety of colours that this palette offers for such a low price. The negatives of this palette, for me, was the fact that the shade names weren’t printed inside and that there were no matte shades so I can’t use it on its own. However, I would recommend this to anyone looking to build their collection of shimmer shadows as they’re all great quality and very pigmented.

Let me know if you would like reviews of any of the other bits in this collection as I own most of it!

N xxxx

 

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2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

SOAP AND GLORY REVIEW – MY FAVES

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BLOGMAS DAY 15:​

Today I’m talking about one of my favourite beauty brands, Soap and Glory. Given that Christmas is fast approaching, I couldn’t think of a better time to let you all know what this fabulous brand has in stock, just in time for some last minute buying of stocking fillers. Soap and Glory always have the most gorgeous gift sets at this time of year too which make perfect Christmas presents!

I have always been sucked in by anything pink or gimmicky, let alone an entire wall of it (in some boots stores – SOS from my bank account). That’s how I got into Soap and Glory products, I was lured in by their gorgeous packaging. When I first noticed Soap and Glory’s products in my local Boots store, they were mainly selling body lotions and hand lotions. The range is now absolutely huge compared to what it was a few years ago and I couldn’t be happier about this!

Over the years I have developed a strong love for all things Soap and Glory and I thought I would share my favourite products with you!

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Let’s talk moisturisers…

VSCO Cam-2-1.jpgArguably, Soap and Glory are most well known for their body lotions and rightly so! I absolutely love covering myself in moisturisers, especially at this time of year. I always feel so smooth and soft and I smell bloody fab after using these products.

The Righteous Butter Body Lotion (travel size) – £2.50 – This is probably Soap and Glory’s most well-known scent, with Shea Butter and Aloe Vera. It smells so good. On the back of the tube, you are asked to “Butter the devil you know” (typical puns from Soap and Glory) and especially pay attention to rougher spots. I love keeping this in my bag and suitcase for whenever I travel or stay anywhere. It makes me feel so pampered and leaves me soft and moisturised.

Hand Food Hand Cream (travel size) – £2.50 – Another of their legendary products, the Hand Food hand cream is one of my favourites. During Winter I get particularly dry hands so I absolutely love keeping this in my bag for on the go use. The hand cream contains Shea Butter and Macadamia oil AND marshmallow (gasp) it smells incredible. It’s fragranced with Soap and Glory’s signature scent of Rose and bergamot. Unlike lots of hand creams that I’ve tried before now, it isn’t sticky or greasy – which is a must for me in glove wearing season.

Hand Food Hand Cream Pump – £7 – Although having the travel size version of this gorgeous hand cream is perfect for on the go, I do like to keep the pump one in my bathroom for more heavy duty use. Again it’s fragranced with rose and bergamot (heaven on earth).

Heel Genius Foot Cream – £5.50 – I used to dance pretty much every day of the week and with that came gross feet. I was in desperate need of moisture and this became my solution! It features orange and lemon fruit acid, bilberry, menthol, macadamia oil, glycerin and allantoin which is the perfect combo for tackling feet as dry as sandpaper. Try it, your feet will thank you later!

Sugar Crush Body Buttercream – £10 – Sugar Crush is my absolute FAVOURITE scent by Soap and Glory. This body lotion is fragranced with lime oil, kiwi juice water, and lime tree blossom extract which makes it perfect for waking you up in the morning as it’s just so refreshing and zingy. I tend to slather this on after a shower or a bath and it keeps me feeling soft and smooth for the rest of the day. Of course, it’s loaded with moisturising sweet almond oil and coconut oil and shea and cocoa butter. You also get a generous amount of product and for £10 I think that’s a great deal.

Moving on to my favourite bath and shower goodies…

VSCO Cam-1-9.jpgClean On Me Shower Gel – £6.50 – I usually have a bottle of this in stock somewhere in my bathroom. I just love the clean and fresh scent of this shower gel, which contains mandarin peel extract. It smells divine and it makes me feel so pampered and silky soft after my shower. You can smell it on your skin hours later which is a bonus plus £6.50 is such a great price for a huge 500ml bottle – go grab it!

 

(They’ve actually changed the name of this) to Scrub of Your Life Body Scrub – £7 – It smells so fresh and clean! This scrub is so creamy and thick and it’s packed with scrubbing beads so that you can exfoliate to your heart’s desire.

 

VSCO Cam-2-6.jpgThe Rushower Scentsational Dry Shampoo – £4 – My mum gave me this for my birthday and I am so glad that she did, it’s a lifesaver! I usually Batiste’s dry shampoos, however, I have always hated how rough they make my hair feel and how difficult they are to blend out into my hair without it looking like I’ve gone grey or I’ve got suspiciously widespread dandruff. Rushower, leaves my hair feeling silky smooth and it blends into my roots like a dream, absorbing any gross oils with it. It also smells incredible with mandarin, rose and bergamot – erm yes please? You can smell it for hours after you sprayed it as well, which I love.

VSCO Cam-3-2.jpgSugar Crush Body Spray – £4 – I was so happy when Soap and Glory created this spray as it’s already my favourite scent that they’ve done. It’s fragranced with lemon oil and Elemi oil which I find to be so refreshing in the morning before I go to university. There’s also elements of vanilla, ginger, sweet lime and smashed brown sugar which is simply a drool-worthy combination. It’s like they bottled happiness. Go and have a sniff and let me know if you love it as much as I do!

VSCO Cam-1-10.jpgNo Clogs Allowed – £11.50 – No apologies for the well-loved appearance of this one – I just love it so much. It’s perfect for a pamper night once a week (I mean I have one every day if possible, oops) when your skin needs resurrecting. I always apply it in my problem areas (on my face of course) and I let it do its thing for about 10-15 minutes. I have definitely noticed a huge difference after using this mask. I have tried all kinds in my time yet this one just continues to impress me.

 If you haven’t tried anything out by Soap and Glory yet, I honestly can’t recommend their products highly enough! Not only are all of the products of such high quality but the packaging that they come in is simply gorgeous and are usually a glimpse at their fab sense of humour with gimmicky names and play on words. All of the scents are amazing too, I am yet to dislike one! Usually, around this time of year, there are lots of offers on their products, so stock up now! Let me know if you have any Soap and Glory favourites too, I’m always looking for an excuse to buy more of their products!

N xxxx

nina-1

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2017 BEAUTY BIRCHBOX BLOGMAS

BIRCHBOX DECEMBER 2017: MATTHEW WILLIAMSON – REVIEW

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Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or any contracts, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month! You can edit your beauty profile on their site in order to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is so great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for over a year now and I look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve received because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. One month the box was created and designed in partnership with Oliver Bonasand I use it to store makeup in as it’s so beautiful!

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This month, Birchbox teamed up with British fashion designer Matthew Williamson. The box is truly the epitome of luxe design and it’s so perfect for this time of year. I feel like December is a month that for some people, can be really stressful. Many seem to forget to take a minute to relax and pamper themselves and this box has definitely motivated me to do just that!

So let’s take a look at the first item…

NATURAL ROSE PIC 1.jpgvsco-cam-3-3.jpg(FULL SIZE) Pixi – Shea Butter Lip Balm in Natural Rose : £8

I actually already own a Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in the shade Honey Nectar which I love, so I was super excited when I saw another one in my December box! It adds the perfect amount of colour without drying my lips out completely, however for some reason I don’t feel like it’s as moisturising as my previous lip balm by Pixi. I would have liked a more nourishing product for this time of year as this is when my lips are chapping like there’s no tomorrow. I will definitely still use it, just not if my lips are in need of help. Natural Rose is a gorgeous nude-pink shade, perfect for more natural looks.  The packaging has a vintage feel to it which is adorable and it’s the perfect size to keep in your handbag.

BAIJA PARIS.jpg Baïja Paris – Caramelised Honey Body Scrub : £14.90 (via the Birchbox shop) 

I had never heard of this brand before but after looking on their website it’s clear that they sell lots of other beautiful products too. This body scrub smells INCREDIBLE, if you imagine freshly made caramel or fudge – something along those lines. It’s made up of 97% natural ingredients which I love as I feel it would be a real treat for my skin. It’s perfect for exfoliating and scrubbing away dry and dead skin to make you feel fresh and moisturised. I cannot wait to have a cosy pamper night in with this!

MODELCO PIC.jpgModelCo – Contour Stick : £13 (via the Birchbox shop)

I am not blessed with chiseled cheeks so I’ll happily fake it until I make it. I was so happy to see this contour stick in my December box. For the last couple of years I have been completely hooked on the Barry M contour cream sticks (which I will be including in my every day makeup items post – coming soon!) however, I’m so excited to try something new. The one that I currently use is quite cool toned which sometimes doesn’t work for a warm summery look. This product seems nice and warm toned which will be perfect for Summer and natural holiday makeup. I also love that the end is pointed which means contouring can be done with precision. When I was swatching the product I was surprised at how creamy it was and how well it blended! This is something I look for in contouring sticks as I’m not a fan of streaky cheeks and I like products that blend like a seamlessly. I use a dewy foundation and this would glide perfectly over it to create a healthy and glowing makeup look.

vsco-cam-15-1.jpgSand & Sky – Brilliant Skin Purifying Clay Mask – £39.90

Is it just me or are there some strong Nip+ Fab vibes from this packaging? This product particularly caught my eye as I love a good face mask on pamper nights. The product is claimed to detox, invigorate and brighten your complexion (yes please).  The main ingredient is pink Australian clay which apparently draws impurities out from the skin. The product also contains soothing aloe vera and pore tightening pomegranate.

VSCO Cam-11-2.jpg (FULL SIZE)Spectrum Collections – B04 Angled Blender Brush – £4.99

I practically squealed when I saw this brush poking out from beneath the other products. I always say you can never have too many blending brushes so this one will be going straight into my collection. I love that it’s angled so that you can be precise with your shadows. The colour of the brush also had me drooling as anything gold or rose gold always catches my eye and matches my aesthetic in my bedroom.

Overall I think this box is worth the money that I paid for it (£10) as the products are all very luxurious this month and there are two full sized products included which together have a total value of £13! Let me know if you are subscribed to Birchbox and what you thought of this box or if you are subscribed to any other beauty boxes, I would love to know!

Go ahead and use my link (here) to subscribe and you will get £5 off your first Birchbox! 

Categories
2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS MODERN RENAISSANCE PALETTE REVIEW & SWATCHES

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BLOGMAS DAY 12

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Today I’m reviewing one of the true gems in my collection, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette. It’s actually one of my favourite palettes, as I mentioned in my review of its sister Subculture! I’ve included photos and swatches so that you can get an idea of the quality of the shadows   – please excuse any wonky lines, arms don’t tend to make the perfect base! Keep scrolling to hear my thoughts…

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The palette is an essential in my collection. It contains 14 beautiful warm neutrals and berry tones which add a stunning pop of colour. It’s mostly a matte palette, with 11 matte shades and 3 metallic shades. It also comes with a soft dual-ended blending brush which actually does a fab job. I’m not usually a fan of  brushes that come with palettes as I like to use my own, however, I’ve ended up using the brush pretty much every day!

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Tempera – A light nude matte with peachy tones – I use this for highlighting underneath my brows and in the inner corners of my eyes! It’s not a shimmery kind of highlight but it’s a clean shade that definitely brightens up any area that it’s applied to. I always use it as a base too.  It’s silky soft and easy to blend.

Golden Ochre – A matte and a muted beige/yellow colour with olive tones – It’s the colour of the perfect (my idea of perfect) cup of tea! It’s the perfect shade for a simple and natural makeup look but it also works out to be a great transition shade if you’re packing some colour in there too.

Vermeer – Iridescent champagne shimmer  –  Such a lovely light shade to put on the inner corner of the lid as it’s a shimmery rose-quartz. It’s got slightly warm/peachy undertones to it too so it’s nice to build up, on the lid. The iridescent sheen of it catches the light which makes it gorgeous for nights out.

Buon Fresco – A matte lilac/mauve – I flipping love this shade. It’s so pretty on the eye and it’s perfect to pair with some pinks and reds! It works so well with the other shades in the palette.

Antique Bronze –  A shimmery brown with rusty red undertones – This is such a gorgeous colour, perfect for festive makeup looks and even in Autumn actually. I tend to wear darker makeup at that time of year (lots of browns, bronzes and coppers)

Love Letter – A raspberry pink matte – This makes the best pink smokey eye ever and I use it so much! It’s a perfect berry tone for the winter months too. It’s slightly dusty but with a few swatches it’s buildable!

Cyprus Umber – A dark coffee brown matte – I use this almost every day to add some drama to the outer corner of my lid, I love it! It’s so pigmented too.

 

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Raw Sienna – An amber matte with golden undertones – I love using this in the crease for more natural eye looks.

Burnt Orange – A deep orange matte – Slightly more of a rich orange shade than Raw Sienna. I tend to use this if I need to warm up my makeup looks – it’s great for Autumn in that sense!

Primavera – Shimmery gold dust with a metallic finish – This is my favourite shade in the whole palette, it is PERFECT for putting in the middle of the lid for a spotlight look or for an inner corner highlight. It’s nicely pigmented and is even more intense when used with setting spray. You could probably use it as a highlighter too, it’s fabulous!

Red Ochre – A burnt, rusty red matte –  I love using this for festive looks to add a pop of red to my eye looks. Colourpop offer a fab dupe for this shade called Popular Demand. I’ve found it takes a bit of building up though so maybe apply it a couple of times to make it slightly less sheer!

Venetian Red – A warm red with a matte finish – Again, fabulous for festive makeup looks. Everyone needs some red shadows in their life!

Warm Taupe – A matte grey with purple undertones– I’m not getting the warmth from this shade that I expected! I’m also not using it all that much as it just doesn’t look that great on me. It’s still lovely and pigmented though!

Realgar – A reddy-brown matte – A rusty red matte shade with subtle warm undertones, really pigmented yet so buttery and easy to blend out. It has subtle warm undertones too.

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I would definitely recommend this palette to those that love using warm tones and enjoys creating more neutral looks but aren’t afraid to use a pop of colour every now and again. For a palette that features mostly matte shadows, they all apply fantastically and are buttery and easy to blend. I have yet to experience any issues with blending out any of the shades. No shades have become patchy either, which to me suggests that every shade was created with very high quality in mind. It’s one of the most pigmented palettes I own, you merely have to tap the shadows lightly and you’ll have picked up plenty. In my opinion, it’s worth every penny as the shadows are of such high quality and there’s a fantastic variety of shades included in the palette. It’s a really versatile palette as it can be used for daytime and nighttime looks If you’re more adventurous with shadows.

I hope you enjoyed my review of this palette and found it helpful if you were trying to make your mind up about it! Below, you’ll find links to my reviews of the other palettes in the collection and I’ve also liked my social media below so come and say hi, I’d love to hear from you!

Read my review of the Subculture palette

Read my review of the Prism palette

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST  

N xxxx

Categories
2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS MAKEUP

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS SUBCULTURE​ PALETTE {REVIEW & SWATCHES}

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BLOGMAS DAY 8

After the huge success of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette, (take a look at my review) everyone was expecting great things when it’s “sister” the Subculture palette was released. The palette sparked lots of debate within the beauty community. There was lots of discussion surrounding the choice of colours, as they are pretty bold. I managed to convince myself that I can rock shades like this but I can understand why some people were terrified when they saw a mustard yellow.

I decided that I had to try this controversial product for myself and I bought myself the Subculture palette during summer, as I was wearing lots of bold eye looks during these months and thought this palette would be perfect for just that! It retails at £43 on their website *distant screams from my bank account* The packaging is made from a beautifully soft and a flocked teal coloured, crushed velvet material which definitely makes it feel more expensive, almost identical to the MR palette. There are 14 shades (11 mattes and 2 metallics and 2 duo chromes) A majority of the shades are warm and muted with some retro 70s vibes (YES PLEASE). When looking at the shadows all together, it reminds me of mid-century modern interiors, I LOVE IT. The shades are also quite grungy and autumnal in that there are some mustard yellows and khaki greens with some coppers and golds too.

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  • Axis – “Ultra matte sage green” Teal/Turquoise has always been my favourite colour so I was delighted to see this shade in the palette. I love it, it’s an unusual colour and it’s just SO pigmented. I wouldn’t recommend going in too hard with your brush as you might look like you have a black eye (been there, done that unfortunately) If you do anything but tap it lightly, you could probably paint a picture with the amount of shadow you will pick up so be careful!
  • Mercury – “Ultra Matte Slate Grey” I was a bit disappointed when I saw this shade as it just looked so dull compared to the others. However when I swatched it I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a cool toned grey with what I reckon to be lilac undertones (see picture with flash) and it looks super pretty in the crease when blended out.
  • All Star – “Ultra Matte Vintage Wine” I love a good plum coloured eyeshadow. I have green eyes so pinks and purples really make them pop. I love using this in the crease as it’s so pigmented yet blends out so beautifully.
  • Adorn – “Metallic Bronze” This could be my favourite shade. It’s SO pretty and when it catches the light it’s absolutely stunning. It’s so rich in pigment and looks even better when a setting spray is used.
  • Destiny – “Ultra Matte Sage Green” I LOVE this shade, it’s a dark khaki green which is one of my favourite colours. Surprisingly it applies with very little fall out if you’re gentle when you apply it. I love using this in my outer corner for added intensity. I do find if you pack too much on however, it can become quite patchy when blending it out so apply sparingly. I would say that is the case with most dark matte shadows though, it’s all in the blending!
  • Dawn – “Ultra Matte Sand” I actually really like this shade even though it’s pretty simple. It has subtle muted peach undertones which make it a nice shadow to use for a more natural look. I use this as a transition shade most of the time as it blends like a dream.
  • Cube – “Duo Chrome Pink Pearl” My least favourite shade. It’s just not pigmented enough for me. At first I thought it looked gorgeous but upon using it I just got a sort of weak pink sheen. It seems to have a sort of skin on it that means it’s quite chalky too. I would’ve preferred just a plain pearly white shade so I could at least use it for inner corner highlight or on my brown bone.

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  • Rowdy – “Ultra Matte Blackened Purple” I love using this shade to smoke out different looks, it can change up your makeup 0-100 real quick, from a study session in the library to GET ME TO DA CLUB.
  • Edge – “Ultra Matte Gold Mustard” I was originally terrified to touch this, I mean, it’s a YELLOW. However, I really enjoy using it now. I love the colour anyway so I just braved it and it’s not too bad! It’s nice to put in the inner part of the lid and it’s easy to blend into a darker shade (I’ve used New Wave to warm it up in the outer corner of the lid)
  • Untamed – “Ultra Matte Tarnished Green” This is a smokey green with undertones of turquoise/teal and is lighter than axis but still just as pigmented. SO pretty.
  • New Wave – “Ultra-matte citron orange” I was also kind of scared to use this shadow but it’s truly gorgeous. At first, I thought it was another yellow but it’s actually a warm matte orange shade. I used this lots during summer to create warm toned looks which it was PERFECT for!
  • Fudge – “Ultra Matte Warm Bronze” I love using this for smokey eye looks. It adds that extra bit of drama to your lid. It’s a warm brown with red undertones.
  • Electric – “Duo Chrome Lime-Gold” This is such a unique shadow. It’s so quirky and looks great on a night out but I actually wear it during the day too. It’s mainly gold however it has gorgeous flecks of green that jump out at you when it catches the light.
  • Roxy – “Ultra Matte Muted Coral” I love this shade, it’s such a pretty colour to use as a transition shade in the crease or as a base on your lid. It’s actually a great shade for summer as it’s got some flirty pink/ apricot undertones that really compliment green/blue eyes.

    Here are some looks that I’ve managed to create with this palette (apologies in advance, I’m no expert)

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I don’t think there’s a problem with fallout or kick back if you’re gentle with the shadows. I would say all but one of the shades (cube) are nicely pigmented. I would strongly suggest just lightly tapping the shadows as opposed to swirling your brush around the pans as this picks up a small amount of colour that you can blend easily and build up if you want more of a bold look. I would also suggest using a setting spray with the metallic shades in the palette, to make them hella sparkly – the difference is amazing! I wouldn’t recommend this palette to those that enjoy the safety of neutral toned shadows. I would say it’s a palette for the more experimental individuals out there however some shades, for example Electric, Fudge and Adorn could be used to make a really pretty more “natural” look but if there’s only a few shades in here that take your fancy, it’s probably not worth paying the hefty price.

BUY IT HERE

I hope you enjoyed this review and let me know in the comments what you think about this palette or if you’ve found any great dupes!

N xxxx

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2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

MY MAC LIPSTICK COLLECTION

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BLOGMAS DAY 7

Before I begin, I just want to say a massive thank you for the support you have given me for my last post, it’s been so overwhelming.  I can’t explain how much it meant to me to receive messages and comments from people I’ve known for years and also people I’ve never met saying how much the post helped them or how it had opened their eyes which was exactly my intention. Once again, thank you so so much x

My MAC lipstick collection has grown a fair bit this year and I thought I would share my favourite lippies with you! Arguably, MAC’s lipsticks are what they are most well known for and that’s how I was drawn in. They usually retail at around the £15 mark which can be pricey for some so I will also be doing a drugstore favourites post for Blogmas so some more affordable alternatives will be included within that! However, I would really recommend keeping an eye on the MAC sales as they sometimes sell amazing products at reduced prices and they go really quickly!

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This is my favourite lipstick. It’s matte and it’s nude – what more could a girl want?! I always say I’m going to wear more red lipstick every year but it never happens, I always drift back towards more neutral tones. I’m not sure when the craze for this shade started but I totally understand why now! Velvet Teddy is a deep-toned beige and is one of the best nude matte lipsticks that I have ever tried. It stays on for hours and dries smoothly without completely drying me out. I wear this pretty much every day.

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This is one of two darker lipsticks that I wear and I’m not sure you could even call this “dark” actually. I would describe the shade as a warm coral. This lipstick has the most beautiful semi-sheer and almost wet look finish to it which normally I wouldn’t opt for but I’ve really warmed to it! It makes my lips look super smooth and dewy which is great for when I feel like a prune during winter! I was lucky enough to grab this in the Black Friday sale for roughly £11. It’s unfortunately not available to buy online anymore but they could bring it back, you never know!

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I also bought Muscu-linity in the Black Friday sale hence why it looks so shiny and new! It’s a muted beige-brown and because it’s one of MAC’s lustre lipsticks, it has a gorgeous natural sheen to it. Although it’s not as pigmented as some of my other lipsticks, it’s definitely buildable if you want more coverage. It doesn’t stay on as long as a matte lipstick either, however, as it’s not your typical ‘high-maintenance’ colour, it’s easy to quickly top up on when you’re on the go. Unfortunately, this is also not available online.

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This was actually my first MAC lipstick, kindly bought for me by my boyfriend as a gift to cheer me up and that, it certainly did! Taupe is a warm brown shade and it’s in the MAC matte lipstick range. It’s a gorgeous nude that I found to be perfect for autumn. It’s really pigmented and long lasting which I also love if I’m wearing it on a night out.

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Spirit is a pinky-warm brown with a satin finish. It’s rich in colour and dries semi-matte and still leaves my lips feeling moisturised. I love wearing this colour during the sunnier months for a less intense and more natural look.

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Mocha is a peachy-brown shade and I absolutely love it. It’s probably my second favourite lipstick that I own. The pinky undertones make it a more healthy looking nude shade in the sense that it doesn’t wash me out. I also think that it’s a shade that can be worn all year round as it’s hydrating for Winter and gives a gorgeous dewy look for Summer!

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Diva is a pretty bold choice for me as it is an intense reddish-burgundy. Surprise surprise, it’s another matte lipstick! I originally thought it would make me look washed out, however with a bit of bronzer and blush, I’m good to go. It’s such a great shade for Autumn and Winter.

I’ve always enjoyed being nosey and seeing what other people have in their makeup bags etc or what collections they own so I thought why not try a post of that kind myself? I hope you guys enjoyed this post, I’m sure in a years time, I will have added a few more to the collection so another post may be necessary! Let me know what MAC lipsticks you swear by in the comments as I’m always looking for an excuse to get some more!

N xxxx

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2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

URBAN DECAY: NAKED HEAT PALETTE – REVIEW

BLOGMAS DAY 3

So although I reckon I’m pretty late to the party with this, I thought a review was still owed to the undecided out there. Cutting to the chase, this palette is truly AMAZING. I have green eyes so I have always been drawn towards warm-toned shadows as they make my eye colour pop more than any other shades. Although the palette was dropped in the UK on the 27th July, I only just managed to get my hands on it, but I am so glad that it’s now safely tucked away in my makeup bag.

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There have been a variety of Naked palettes released by Urban Decay over the years with some gorgeous gold-hued, cool toned and smokey shades, however, this palette is very different. It contains 12 amber-hued neutral shades (seven mattes and five shimmers) and its sold at a rather terrifying (but absolutely worth it) £39.50. It also comes with an amazing duo-ended brush but it’s in the process of being cleaned after thorough use (so, unfortunately, it won’t have its moment in the photos.)

BeFunky Collage-20.jpgFrom top to bottom, 

  • Ounce – “Ivory shimmer”, it’s creamy & pearly – I use it most days for a brow bone highlight or for my inner corners, haven’t found much use for it on my lids.
  • Chaser – “Matte light nude”, with a tiny hint of coral, it doesn’t have a huge impact but I’ve been using it as a transition shade and to define my crease more.
  • Sauced – “Soft terra-cotta matte”, a red-toned matte fudge shade, I love buffing this into my crease to warm up my look.
  • Low Blow – “Brown matte” (A yellow-y baby poop matte as described over on Theannaedit) although it’s quite a natural shade, I love using this to slightly buff out my look – it blends like a dream.
  • Lumbre – “Copper shimmer w/gold pearl shift”, this rose gold shadow is great for a natural shimmer on the lid especially if you’re into more subtle looks. I’ve worn this mostly during the day as I prefer more intense and pigmented shadows for nights out.
  • He Devil – “Burnt red matte”, I like this shade a lot, it’s perfect for creating a simple warm look as its so easy to blend out into something more subtle. It’s a buildable shade so it can be used for an intense look too.
  • Dirty Talk – “Metallic burnt red”, This. Shade. Is. Amazing.  I do love a good copper shadow and this is a massive 10/10 from me. It’s such a stunning shimmer shade, with a bronze base. I use it for going to uni, clubbing, a quick trip to town (the lot – I can’t get enough) it can work with a more subtle sultry-daytime look as well as a full beat looks for a night out. It’s definitely a buildable shade with incredible pigmentation if you want to go all out.

BeFunky Collage-22From top to bottom,

  • Scorched – “metallic deep red w/gold micro-shimmer”, there are hints of rose gold and copper, I’d say it was just slightly rosier and more coral toned than Dirty Talk so I still love it, how, ver it works more with pink or orange based eyeshadow looks.
  • Cayenne – “deep terra-cotta matte”, such a gorgeous chocolatey brown shade, it’s really pigmented and looks so nice in the outer crease when buffed out. It works so well with He Devil when creating a simple warm-toned look.
  • En Fuego – “burgundy matte”, burgundy is one of my favourite colours to wear as an eyeshadow as in terms of my wardrobe, it really compliments the green in my eyes so I’m always on the lookout for shadows like this. It’s been great when creating more dramatic and intense looks.
  • Ashes – “deep reddish-brown matte”, the colour of this shadow is so beautiful, it’s perfect for autumn with hints of warm purple and burgundy. However, the shade is difficult to blend as it’s quite powdery in consistency.
  • Ember – “deep metallic copper-burgundy”, a stunning shimmer shade with undertones of purple, copper and brown, with even some tiny flecks of pink here and there. I have used this with every smoky eye makeup look that I’ve done since this palette entered my life. I haven’t found anything like this before, it’s so unique.

In conclusion, if you’re into warm-toned eyes looks, this palette is definitely for you. The matte shades blend so easily and the shimmers add a beautiful dramatic yet elegant hint to any look. It can be used for so many different eye looks, which means I get the most out of my money, as I can use it more than just every once in a while. Overall, I would recommend this palette – it’s definitely my favourite Naked Palette by Urban Decay as of yet!

BUY THE PALETTE HERE*

If £39.50 screams HELL NO to you, here are two dupes to help you achieve similar looks without breaking the bank…

NYX – Ultimate Shadow Palette Warm Neutrals – £16 – full of warm neutrals

Morphe – 25B Bronzed Mocha Eyeshadow Palette – £19 – 25 shadows, including deep browns, burgundies, coppers and golds as well as some more subtle shades too.

N xxxx

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BEAUTY MAKEUP

BOBBI BROWN HIGHLIGHTING POWDER REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Today I’m going to review the Bobbi Brown highlighting powder in the shade Sunkissed Glow. My boyfriend gave it to me as an anniversary present just over a month ago and I’m in love (he’s alright too I suppose). It’s actually the first product that I’ve tried from Bobbi Brown, so this will be a first impression!

The highlighting powder retails at £35, which may sound horrifying but for a high-end brand, that’s somewhat timid. Trust me, google Tom Ford and Hourglass… For anyone that drools over luxurious and sleek packaging, you will practically want to frame this product. It’s also a mirrored compact too, meaning you can glow on the go!

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The highlighting powder itself, fits into a perfect little square of golden shimmery goodness. I love the grid-like markings – it looks so luxurious and almost too good to use. When applied, it gives adds the most beautiful, bronzed glow to my skin. It looks quite natural compared to some of the more luminous highlighters out there and I quite like that. Sometimes you don’t want the satellites to spot you glowing all the way from Earth. It’s not necessarily blinding but it’s certainly buildable. I like being able to choose the intensity of my glow, as it gives me some control over it before it gets too much – we’ve all been there. It’s definitely more of a summery shade, I doubt I will be using it much during the colder months. I just find that it compliments a tan so much. When I went away during summer, all I wore on my face was some bb cream and highlighter and this product would have been perfect!

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Above on the left is what the highlight looks like with flash from a distance and on the far right the highlighter without flash (top) and with flash (bottom)

If you want to feel like you’re using a expensive product, this is definitely worth trying. It feels so luxurious to apply and it looks even better on. The fact that it doesn’t appear cakey or chalky goes to show that it’s a high quality product, I hate it when highlighters do that. If you’re looking for a bronze gold beam of light in your makeup bag and you have the cash to splash on it, I would recommend giving this one a go! They also have some other shades in the range if you want to find something that really compliments your skin tone.

N xxxx

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